Kotobukiya Kits Quality

[Dobber]

Hi all, on another forum I visit, someone got a Sandtroper "Corporal" and the paint job is HORRIBLE!!! Does anyone else have this kit or at least the standard "Officer" version of the Sandtrooper. I was curious if he just got a bad paint job or if the weathering on the Sandtroopers is just not that good.

Here is a link to the froum and the pictures of his kit.

http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=84573

He says that he has other Kotobukiya kits and they are fantastic, and I've been planning on getting a few of these kits, including a Sandtrooper, but I just want to make sure that these kits really are as good as they normally appear and that this guy just got a bumb kit.

Also for those interested Kotobukiya will be releasing the long awaited Snowtrooper in the spring!!!

Chris

[Warmaker]

Hi all, on another forum I visit, someone got a Sandtroper "Corporal" and the paint job is HORRIBLE!!! Does anyone else have this kit or at least the standard "Officer" version of the Sandtrooper. I was curious if he just got a bad paint job or if the weathering on the Sandtroopers is just not that good.

Here is a link to the froum and the pictures of his kit.

http://www.rpf.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=84573

He says that he has other Kotobukiya kits and they are fantastic, and I've been planning on getting a few of these kits, including a Sandtrooper, but I just want to make sure that these kits really are as good as they normally appear and that this guy just got a bumb kit.

Also for those interested Kotobukiya will be releasing the long awaited Snowtrooper in the spring!!!

Chris

327558[/snapback]

I have all 3 of the Sandtrooper-esque Stormies. The ones with the white, orange, and black shoulder pauldrons. The weathering is awful, IMO. It looks like someone dabbed some cotton into some paint and splotched the armor here and there.

The other last negative is that all 3 of these use the same sets of legs, so having all 3 standing together doesn't bring as much variety in poses.

The positives? The build, detailing, and the subject is what's great. The one with the white pauldron has an E11 Blaster, the orange one has a WWII German MG34 (which was used in ANH also), and the black one has the big 'ol T21 (modified British Lewis Gun).

I couldn't stand the awful attempt at weathering, so I painted over it with white and proceeded to do my own weathering with my moderate modelling skills.

I also have the Scout Trooper. The weathering on it is done very nice compared to the Sandtroopers.

I also preordered the upcoming Snowtroopers. You can't possibly mess up that weathering. Besides, Snowtroopers are cool, despite only being seeing for maybe a minute or two of action in the movies, tops. Plus, the pose of the Snowtrooper looks great.

Edited September 12, 2005 by Warmaker

[Dobber]

Thanks Warmaker, I posted the same questions in a few other forums and that seems to be the concensus, that the Sandies seem to have HORRIBLE weathering and that removale of or painting over the weathering is the way to go.

Totally Agree about the Snowtrooper. I've always loved them the most out of all the Stormies. Did you ever notice the Snowtrooper commander (the one that Gen. Veers tells "to prepare to debark" his troops) seems to have a solid face mask instead of the cloth one that the others have. Can't wait for the SNOWTROOPER!!!

Chris

[Warmaker]

Thanks Warmaker, I posted the same questions in a few other forums and that seems to be the concensus, that the Sandies seem to have HORRIBLE weathering and that removale of or painting over the weathering is the way to go.

Totally Agree about the Snowtrooper. I've always loved them the most out of all the Stormies. Did you ever notice the Snowtrooper commander (the one that Gen. Veers tells "to prepare to debark" his troops) seems to have a solid face mask instead of the cloth one that the others have.  Can't wait for the SNOWTROOPER!!!

Chris

327705[/snapback]

Didn't notice that one before about the Snowtrooper Lieutenant on the AT-AT.

At the further risk of showing my Star Wars geekiness, that same Lieutenant is the only armor clad Trooper with the officer markings on his chestplate. Even when comparing all the Stormtroopers and Scout Troopers.

Not sure if that was intended or not, but oh well.

[Dobber]

That's cool never noticed that either. The mask thing could be an illusion but it really looks solid. If it isn't I guess it could be cloth but just perfectly smooth. Either way, I've never seen anyone replicate it before. Snowtroopers ROCK!

Chris

[Dobber]

Warmaker, here are some pictures of the snowtrooper Lt. Check out the hard mask!

Chris

[Dobber]

Warmaker, here are some pictures of the snowtrooper Lt. Check out the hard mask!

Chris

snowt_commander01.bmp

snowt_commander01.bmp

[Warmaker]

I get a "Drawing Failed" when trying to open the image files.

[Warmaker]

A different subject to be OT, but it is still Star Wars.

Detailing of a scratchbuilt 24-inch Imperial Star Destroyer

[Dobber]

Sorry had some computer problems. Hopefully this will work.

snowt_commander01.bmp

[valhary]

Hi everyone!

Could anyone can help me to identify this kit?

The only thing I know is made by Kotobukiya

[no3Ljm]

17 minutes ago, valhary said:

Hi everyone!

Could anyone can help me to identify this kit?

The only thing I know is made by Kotobukiya

Frame Arms EXF-10/32 Graifen

[valhary]

wow!

that's fast thanks no3Ljm

[Kelsain]

Also known as Blasty McShootface.

[electric indigo]

...proud leader of the "there's no kill like overkill" brigade.

[kajnrig]

On the same page No3Ljm linked to is the model kit itself plus the add-on equipment kit (which provide the missile launchers). Just FYI, you won't be getting all that dakka with just the base kit.

[Graham]

Damn, I didn't even know that any other Japanese company beside Bandai is even making Star Wars kits.

[kajnrig]

Just in case anyone's interested, the latest in Kotobukiya's Frame Arms kit series, the Byakko, is up for preorder

on HLJ: https://hlj.com/product/KBYFA-049

on Hobby Search: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10465646

(5800 JPY retail, 4640 JPY on either site)

It's designed by Yoji Shinkawa of Metal Gear Solid and Zone of the Enders fame. You can see the clear similarities to his other designs, especially the head design. And overall, I think it looks a lot like a copyright-safe MG Sahelanthropus from MGSV. Just needs a fuel pod/radome on that left shoulder.

It seems to deviate quite a bit from the standard Frame Arms inner skeleton, as well. I'd be interested to see how much of the original Frame Architect is in there.

Edited May 10, 2017 by kajnrig

[Big s]

The sensor on the top must do all the work since the eyes probably can't see forward with that armor in the way.

[M'Kyuun]

I've been collecting many of the 52Toys' Beast/MegaBox figures, and when they came out with their Aliens Powerloader, I wanted a properly scaled fig to drive it. Since they used a Hexa Gear fig themselves in various promo pics, I figured I'd do the same. I settled on the Early Governor Vol 3.  I expected to get a complete and painted action figure , but was surprised that she's a kit that needs to be assembled and painted. The promos make her look awesome. I'm not sure my meager skills will render such a nice result, but I'll give it  an honest attempt.

Along with EGV3, I got the Steelrain kit as well, as it's a transformable combat helicopter, and just looks equal parts beautiful, futuristic, and menacing. I kinda wish I'd bought a second, different Governor kit, but the little suckers are expensive.  Steelrain is such a lovely design. Looking forward to the build.

[Big s]

I’ve seen a lot of those hexa gear items, but didn’t realize the pilots were kits. I honestly thought they were prepainted action figures